Mr. Todd laid on her bed as she put on her nightgown in front of him. The moon shone through the window onto them, Mr. Todd just had a blanket over himself. Irene found herself laying next to him that night. Why he decided to sleep with her she had no idea, he did not say a word for the rest of the night.
She awoke late the next morning, Mr. Todd still laid there next to her. He actually looked really sweet when he slept so she leaned over and kissed his lips. His eyes opened slowly but he did not smile.
"Good morning." She said.
"My back hurts." He complained flipping over. "Rub it."
"You poor thing." She rubbed his bare back. No doubt it was due to the uncomfortable positions last night in the tub.
After a while he turned back over. "Thank you." He stood up.
"You're welcome. I'll go make breakfast." She said going to her vanity.
"Good." He said walking out, Irene couldn't help but watch him.
She got dressed and went out into the kitchen. He was waiting for her, she cooked him his food and they ate. Not a word was spoken about last night.
Mr. Todd took her to the auction house where he made a deal to have the outside tables picked up for sale later that day. The two took a side trip to a miscellaneous shop, it had clothing, baubles and many other things. The barber rummaged around while Irene went over to the jewelry case and gazed at the pearls and jewels. Soon Mr. Todd came back around and they left for home.
Upon going inside Mr. Todd pulled out a small box from his inside coat pocket. "This is for you." He opened to reveal a small knife.
"You need not buy me so much, sir." She pleaded thinking in the back of her mind that another experience would grace her tonight.
"Just for protection. I don't like you walking around with just the pins in your hair to defend yourself with." He handed it to her.
She closed it and tucked it in her bodice. "Thank you, sir."
The tables were picked up that afternoon and Mr. Todd led Irene up to his shop for her to clean it. She scrubbed the floors and dusted it all for him. After she was done with that they went back down in the sitting room for tea.
"I was thinking you could have your own pastry shop out of the storefront." He said with his arm around her. "Just to drum up business, you can keep all the profit."
"I would love that." She hugged him.
"Yes, I do miss that…" He mumbled.
"Can I ask you something sir?" Irene shifted her focus from the happiness at hand.
"What?" He looked at her sternly.
"Are we together?..." She asked meekly. "I mean, we've been quiet involved in each other."
"Yes." He answered firmly. "You do not resist me."
"I do find you appealing." She cuddled up next to him but he remained stiff.
"Good." He tightened his grip on her. "I'll make you into the ideal woman."
Out of all the men she had met in her life Irene felt oddly secure with Mr. Todd despite the previous day's events. She would never find a stronger man.
"I think some pretty flowers outside would be nice." She said staring into space.
"Do that tomorrow." Mr. Todd's hand began to climb up to her chest.
This time Irene initiated it and kissed him. She sat on his lap and looked into his eyes. Mr. Todd got an impatient look on his face and stood up. He picked up Irene and put her over his shoulder and carried her into her room. They stripped down to their underclothes and Mr. Todd laid on the bed.
"Come hold me." He said nicely.
Irene thought this request was strange considering his previous behavior. Regardless she climbed into bed with him and put her arms around him letting his head rest on her chest.
"How strange you are." She whispered stroking his hair.
"Let me sleep." He murmured.
She pulled a blanket over them and nodded off to the sound of his quiet breath. The barber was indeed a walking paradox, perhaps something was different in his mind that wasn't in her own. Either way she held him close as they slept.